Making money on the internet is weird now. Everyone is chasing TikTok creator funds or fighting YouTube demonetization, but the adult industry has been running on a completely different set of rules for years. If you're looking into how to make money on Pornhub, you've probably realized it isn't just about "uploading a video and getting rich."
It’s a grind.
The site gets billions of visits every month. That’s a lot of eyeballs. But the days of just throwing up a grainy clip and watching the ad revenue roll in are mostly over. Since the massive site purge in 2020, Pornhub—owned by Aylo (formerly MindGeek)—has become a strictly regulated platform. You can't just be a "user" anymore; you have to be a verified Model.
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The Verification Gatekeeper
Before you see a single cent, you have to get verified. This isn't like getting a blue check on X just because you paid eight bucks. This is a legal requirement. You’ll need to provide a government-issued ID and a photo of yourself holding that ID. Why? Because of 18 U.S.C. § 2257 record-keeping requirements.
Basically, the platform has to prove everyone in every video is an adult. If you have a partner in your video, they need to be verified too. No exceptions. No "I'll do it later." If they aren't verified, your video gets pulled, or worse, your account gets nuked.
Once you're in the Pornhub Model Program, you get access to the actual money-making tools. This is where people get confused. They think it's just ad revenue. It's not.
Ad Revenue is the Tip of the Iceberg
Let's talk about the Model Payment Program. You get paid for views, but don't expect to buy a Ferrari next week. The rate—often referred to as the "payout per thousand views"—fluctuates based on where your viewers are located. A view from the United States or Western Europe is worth way more than a view from a country where advertisers aren't spending as much.
The math is simple but brutal. You might make anywhere from $0.50 to $4.00 per 1,000 views.
That sounds low. It is.
If you get 100,000 views, you might only walk away with a couple hundred dollars. That's why the smart creators treat the ad revenue as "gas money." The real profit lives in the features that look a lot like Patreon or OnlyFans.
Direct Sales and Subscriptions
Pornhub launched "Model Centers" which allow you to sell videos directly. Instead of giving them away for free and hoping for ad crumbs, you set a price. Maybe $5.99. Maybe $15.00. You keep 80% of that sale (minus some processing fees).
Then there’s the Fan Club. This is a monthly subscription model. Fans pay you a recurring fee to see exclusive content. This is where the "reliable" income comes from. If you have 500 fans paying $10 a month, you're looking at $5,000 gross before the platform takes its 20% cut.
The Algorithm is Your Boss
You have to play the SEO game. This is where many creators fail. They title their videos something boring like "Tuesday Video." Nobody is searching for "Tuesday Video."
You need to understand what people are actually typing into that search bar. Use the "Pornhub Insights" blog. It's actually a goldmine of data. They release annual reports showing exactly what trends are climbing and what’s falling off. If you aren't looking at those stats, you're flying blind.
Consistency matters more than quality sometimes. The algorithm loves a schedule. If you disappear for three weeks, your views will crater. You’ve got to treat it like a 9-to-5, even if you're doing it in your pajamas. Or less.
Tips and "Trophy" Hunting
Pornhub has a tipping system during live streams. Yes, they have a "Live" feature powered by ModelCenter. This is basically Twitch but for adults. People buy "Credits" and throw them at you while you perform.
Then there are the awards. Getting on the "Top Models" list or winning a "Pornhub Award" isn't just about ego. It’s about placement. The higher you are on those lists, the more "organic" traffic the site sends your way. It’s a feedback loop. More views lead to higher rankings, which lead to even more views.
The Reality Check: Taxes and Banks
This is the part nobody talks about in the "get rich quick" videos.
You are an independent contractor. That means you owe self-employment taxes. In the US, that's roughly 15.3% on top of your standard income tax. You need to set aside at least 30% of every check.
And then there's the banking.
Traditional banks—think Chase or Wells Fargo—are notoriously "anti-adult." They have "morality clauses" or simply see the industry as "high risk" due to chargebacks. Many creators have had their personal accounts frozen or closed without warning. You often have to use specialized payment processors like Paxum or CosmoPayment to get your money out of the platform.
Diversification is Survival
The smartest people figuring out how to make money on Pornhub don't actually stay only on Pornhub. They use it as a giant, free marketing engine.
Think of Pornhub as your "top of funnel." You post shorter, edited clips there to grab attention. You use the "Link in Bio" feature to drive those viewers to your own private website, your Fan Club, or your merchandise store.
Relying on one platform is dangerous. Algorithms change. Policies change. Ask anyone who was around for the 2020 purge when millions of unverified videos were deleted overnight. People lost their entire livelihoods in 24 hours.
Actionable Steps for New Creators
If you’re serious about this as a business venture, stop treating it like a hobby.
First, get your paperwork in order. Scan your ID, get a clean background for your photos, and ensure your filming space has decent lighting. You don't need a $2,000 camera—a modern iPhone is plenty—but you do need a ring light.
Second, research your niche. Don't try to compete with the massive studios in the "general" categories. Find a specific sub-niche where the audience is underserved. Use the search bar to see what's trending but has low video counts.
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Third, set up a dedicated business bank account and a tracking spreadsheet. Every dollar spent on "props," "costumes," or "equipment" is a tax deduction. If you don't track it, you're literally giving money away to the government.
Finally, engage with your comments. It sounds tedious, but the "Social" aspect of Pornhub is huge. Replying to fans builds loyalty. Loyalty leads to Fan Club subscriptions. Subscriptions lead to rent money.
The adult industry is a business of attention. If you can't capture it and hold it, the platform will move on to the next creator in a heartbeat. Treat the data with respect, keep your legal ducks in a row, and never stop diversifying your income streams.